Ordinal Numbers

Level 2

Ordinal numbers (first, second, etc.) are formed by adding -t- (1-19) or -st- (20+) to the cardinal number, followed by standard adjective endings.

How It Works

Ordinal numbers answer the question der/die/das wievielte? (which one?).

1. Formation Rules:

  • Numbers 1–19: Cardinal number + -t- + adjective ending. (e.g., vier → vierte).
  • Numbers 20+: Cardinal number + -st- + adjective ending. (e.g., zwanzig → zwanzigste).

2. Irregularities:

  • 1st: erst- (not 'einst').
  • 3rd: dritt- (not 'dreit').
  • 7th: siebt- (or the formal siebent-).
  • 8th: acht- (only one 't' is used because the stem already ends in 't').

3. Adjective Endings:
Because they are adjectives, the final letter changes. In the nominative with a definite article, it is usually -e (der zweite Tag). In the dative (common with dates), it is -en (am zweiten Mai).

4. Writing with Digits:
In German, a period after a number indicates it is an ordinal number. 1. means 'first', 2. means 'second'. Never use English-style suffixes like '1st' or '2nd'.

Examples (5)

  1. Heute ist der einunddreißigste August.

    Today is the thirty-first of August.

    Word by Word: Today is the one-and-thirtieth August.

    For numbers 20 and above, we use the suffix -st- followed by the adjective ending -e.

  2. Wir wohnen im vierten Stock.

    We live on the fourth floor.

    Word by Word: We live in-the fourth floor.

    The preposition 'in' + 'dem' (im) triggers the dative case, so the ordinal 'viert-' takes the ending -en.

  3. Das ist mein erstes Mal in Berlin.

    This is my first time in Berlin.

    Word by Word: That is my first time in Berlin.

    The ordinal for 'first' is the irregular 'erst-'. Here it takes the ending -es to match the neuter noun 'Mal' after 'mein'.

  4. Er belegte den dritten Platz.

    He took third place.

    Word by Word: He occupied the third place.

    The ordinal for 'third' is the irregular 'dritt-'. It takes the ending -en here because 'Platz' is the accusative object.

  5. Am achten Mai habe ich Geburtstag.

    My birthday is on the eighth of May.

    Word by Word: On-the eighth May have I birthday.

    Note that 'acht-' only adds one 't'. 'Am' (an + dem) triggers the dative ending -en.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the cardinal number instead of the ordinal for dates.

    Ich komme am zwanzig Mai.
    Ich komme am zwanzigsten Mai.

    When giving a date, you must use the ordinal number with the correct case ending (usually -en after 'am').

  • Adding a double 't' to the number eight.

    der achtte Tag
    der achte Tag

    Since 'acht' already ends in 't', you do not add another 't' for the ordinal suffix.

  • Forgetting that ordinals need adjective endings.

    Heute ist der einundzwanzigst Mai.
    Heute ist der einundzwanzigste Mai.

    The suffix -st- is just the marker; you still need the adjective ending (like -e or -en) based on the grammar of the sentence.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Ordinal NumbersLevel 2

Learn This First

To form ordinal numbers, you must first be familiar with the base cardinal numbers. Since ordinal numbers almost always appear with a definite article and function as adjectives, understanding how adjective endings work is essential for using them correctly in sentences.